In AutoCAD, dividing a circle into equal parts can be a useful technique when creating complex designs or patterns. By dividing the circle into smaller sections, you can easily create symmetrical layouts or distribute elements evenly. In this tutorial, we will explore how to divide a circle into 20 equal parts in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Draw a Circle
To begin, open AutoCAD and start a new drawing. Use the CIRCLE command to draw a circle with the desired diameter or radius. You can either specify the center point and the radius, or use other methods like specifying two points on the circumference.
Step 2: Calculate the Angle
In order to divide the circle into equal parts, we need to determine the angle between each division. Since we want 20 equal parts, we can calculate this by dividing 360 degrees (a full circle) by 20.
Angle between divisions = 360° / Number of divisions
In our case:
Angle between divisions = 360° / 20 = 18°
Step 3: Create Construction Lines
We will use construction lines as guides to divide the circle. These lines will be drawn from the center of the circle and extend outwards to intersect with the circumference.
- Select the LINETYPE command from the AutoCAD toolbar or type ‘L’ in the command line.
- Select ‘Construction’ as your linetype.
- Type ‘C’ in the command line and press Enter to activate Center snap mode.
- Select the center point of your circle as the starting point for the construction line.
- Type ‘P’ in the command line and specify a point on the circumference of the circle. Repeat this step for each division, rotating around the center point.
Note: Make sure to snap to the intersection between the construction lines and the circle’s circumference to ensure accuracy.
Step 4: Trim Construction Lines
Now that we have our construction lines drawn, we need to trim them so that they only extend up to the circumference of the circle.
- Select the TRIM command from the AutoCAD toolbar or type ‘TR’ in the command line.
- Type ‘F’ in the command line and press Enter to activate Fence selection mode.
- Select all construction lines that extend beyond the circle’s circumference using your mouse or by specifying a crossing selection area.
- Press Enter to trim the selected lines at their intersections with the circle’s circumference.
Step 5: Divide Circle
To divide our circle into 20 equal parts, we will use AutoCAD’s DIVIDE command. This command allows us to evenly distribute points along an object, such as our circle’s circumference.
- Select the DIVIDE command from the AutoCAD toolbar or type ‘DIV’ in the command line.
- Select ‘Object’ when prompted for object selection, then select your trimmed circle by clicking on it or using a window selection.
- Type ‘P’ in the command line to specify a number of equally spaced points along your object. In our case, we want 20 divisions, so type ’20’ and press Enter.
AutoCAD will now divide the circle into 20 equal parts, placing points at each division along the circumference.
Conclusion
Dividing a circle into equal parts in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using construction lines and the divide command. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily divide a circle into any number of equal parts to suit your design needs. Remember to use the appropriate AutoCAD commands and take advantage of features like trim and snap modes to ensure accuracy and precision in your drawings.
This technique is particularly useful when creating radial patterns or symmetrical designs, providing you with a versatile tool for your AutoCAD projects.